Abstract: A diagnostic port for diagnosing a rack mount server while the server is installed in a rack. Diagnosis may be performed using an external computer in one of two ways. First, the external computer is connected to the diagnostic port to run server operating system debug algorithms. Second, the diagnostic port may provide access to data and routines in a server management device located within the server. Each of these functions is accessible via separate connectors located on the user-accessible faceplate at the front the server. Alternatively, the functions may be accessible via an adapter that connects to a single connector at the front of the server. The server management functions are ordinarily accessible from the rear using existing network connections, but an internal switch selectably enables the diagnostic port if a mating connector is inserted.

Abstract: A modular infrastructure for a computer server rack, comprising modular server chassis, each chassis configured to receive a plurality of servers and two network switches. The switches are redundantly coupled to each server in the same chassis via point to point links within a data backplane. The rack further comprises redundant AC to DC power supplies configured to transmit power to a power backplane in each of the server chassis through a power bus bar. DC power is provided by both power supplies to each server in the rack through the power bus bar and a power backplane located in the same chassis. Each power supply is sufficient to power the entire rack. Servers within separate chassis are coupled into the same network by merely daisy chaining the switches in the rack. Individual servers are deployed by sliding the servers into a server chassis to engage connectors in the backplanes.